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After a hard day’s work, running from one place to the other, taking care the kids, etc. or simply because you need it and it’s good for your daily life, today we’re going to give you some relaxation techniques you can do at home that will help you sleep and rest a lot of better.

There’s normally a price to pay for our hectic daily lives, both physically and mentally, and it often shows up in our necks and backs. Stress, worry and nerves tighten your muscles, which is a good reason for learning how to relax and remove that burden.

So take note and find time when you get home to practice some of these techniques:

They’ll help to improve your circulation and breathing

They only take 20 minutes and it will be time very well spent. As soon as you get home take off your shoes and put on something comfortable. Lie down on the sofa and raise your legs a few inches above the rest of your body. Place you right hand on your chest and feel your breathing, feel how your chest expands, and then breathe out through your mouth.

A relaxing herb tea is always a good idea too

And after breathing, let your blood circulate and your body stabilize, a herb tea will help you relax fully and relieve heavy legs and swollen feet.

A tea made with five mint leaves, a spoonful of grated ginger and three lettuce leaves will give you a feeling of tranquillity and relaxation.

A walk before going home

You don’t need more than half an hour to go out for a brisk walk and enjoy the fresh air, yourself and the exercise your body needs to free it of tension and stress.

Breathe deeply and eliminate tension

Deep breathing is a simple but powerful relaxation technique that’s easy to learn, you can do it anywhere and it works quickly to keep your stress levels undercontrol.

Deep breathing is used together with many other relaxation techniques, such as aromatherapy or music.

Follow these steps and you’ll see how easy it is:

Sit comfortably with your back straight. Put one hand on you chest and the other on your stomach.

Inhale through your nose. The hand on your stomach should rise and the one on your chest should hardly move.

Breathe out as much air from your mouth as you can while contracting your abdominal muscles.

Continue exhaling and inhaling through your nose and mouth, taking in enough air to make the lower part of your abdomen rise and fall.

Yoga and Tai Chi for stress relief

You can also sign up for yoga or tai chi classes as these are two disciplines that do a lot to help you eliminate stress. You’ll come home feeling much more relaxed, as well as having done some exercise.

Yoga is a series of movements and pauses combined with deep breathing. The best stress-relieving yoga techniques are those that emphasize slow, constant movements and mild stretching.

Tai chi has a specific rhythm of body movements focusing above all on concentration, relaxation and the conscious circulation of energy throughout the body. It is often done outdoors.

Here at The Naturalist we recommend that if you decide to take up one of these disciplines, take extra-curricular lessons with skilled teachers who can teach you the best techniques.

And how about rounding off the day with a bath?

After you’ve come home, left your work at the front door, spent time with the kids (if you have any), done any chores and had dinner, what could be better than a hot bath before you go to bed?